For over 35 years, Rick has quietly tended a hidden community garden in the alley between North Mulberry and Hanover Streets in Richmond’s Fan District.
This garden is more than flowers—it’s a space of connection, peace, and belonging. A place that’s welcomed neighbors, wanderers, bees, and butterflies free of charge and full of heart.
What many don’t know is that Rick has lovingly funded and maintained this space entirely out of pocket—never asking for a dime, just continuing to show up season after season, year after year.
Now, with nearby redevelopment threatening to tear the garden down, we’re rallying to protect it.
Why we’re raising funds:
Legal guidance to explore preservation strategies
Public signage, flyers, and community outreach
Support for local events, story-sharing, and organizing
Resources to explore land trust options and civic action
This isn’t just about saving plants—it’s about protecting a living, breathing piece of Richmond’s community history. It's about maintaining third spaces.
Every contribution honors the care Rick has given freely for decades and helps ensure this special space remains for future generations.
Let’s keep Richmond rooted. #SaveRicksGarden
Follow us on IG: @Ricksgardenrva
Organizer
Gaia Rapuri
Organizer
Richmond, VA





